Chapter 885 - The Strongest Sect Master
Lu Zhou was puzzled when he received the system notifications. Although this was not the first time he had been worshipped, the world is vast, and it was understandable that there were people who did not sincerely worship him.
These worshippers should not have come from the golden lotus domain. The Evil Sky Pavilion was far more revered in the golden lotus domain than in the red lotus domain. He had been worshipped so many times that he could no longer get merit points out of them, and his worshippers there were likely to be sincere.
So where did all these worshippers come from?
If it was not the golden lotus domain, then, could it be the red lotus domain?
Lu Zhou looked outside and wondered which of his disciples was causing trouble again.
Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai did not have the leisure to do such a thing.
Conch was still in closed-door cultivation. During this time, she had been studying the Pilgrim Song and did not leave the room.
Lu Zhou thought to himself, 'The culprit should be either Old Fourth or Old Seventh…'
With this thought in mind, Lu Zhou sent someone to summon Mingshi Yin over to ask him what he had done.
After Mingshi Yin arrived, he was confused when he heard his master's question. He said innocently, "Master, I haven't done anything during this time. I've been cultivating most of the time. I realized how weak I am since I arrived in the red lotus domain!"
Lu Zhou asked, "What about the others?"
"Third Senior Brother is practicing with his spear; Seventh Junior Brother is teaching Li Yunzheng and also studying some things on his own," Mingshi Yin replied. After a brief pause, he continued to say, "Li Yunzheng has been miserable lately. His face is sallow and sunken; there are dark circles around his eyes; his hair is messy. He doesn't look like an emperor at all."
Lu Zhou asked, slightly puzzled, "Li Yunzheng is quite well-read. Why is he in such a miserable state?"
"I don't know about that. I went to have a look yesterday. Old Seventh said that master's method is the most effective, and it's capable of putting him in his place and making him obedient," Mingshi Yin replied.
"My method?" Lu Zhou was further confused. He was not particularly outstanding in regard to educating a student. He had handed Li Yunzheng to Si Wuya not only because he trusted and valued Si Wuya's ability, but it was also because he did not have the energy or a good plan to educate Li Yunzheng.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. 'It seems like Old Seventh really didn't let me down…'
Following that, Lu Zhou continued to ask about his other disciples. He learned that over the past few days, apart from resting due to the long journey, they only discussed the red lotus domain and cultivated. Moreover, since they were not familiar with the red lotus domain, there were not many places they could go or things they could do.
Finally, Lu Zhou dismissed Mingshi Yin. "You may leave."
"Understood."
"By the way, tell Old Seventh to study more about Birth Chart Beasts," Lu Zhou added.
"Understood," Mingshi Yin said before leaving the Literary Star Hall.
In the past, the problem that stood in the way of the cultivators in the golden lotus domain was the limit of eight leaves. No one could sprout the ninth leaf because the process of sprouting the ninth leaf would consume 1,200 years of a person's life. If there were no Eight-leaf cultivators who managed to break the limit of eight leaves, it would become a vicious cycle that could not be broken. However, for example, if a Nine-leaf cultivator or someone stronger appeared, they could easily obtain life hearts to help Eight-leaf cultivators sprout the ninth leaf, in turn, breaking the vicious cycle.
The point was, if the vicious cycles everywhere kept getting broken, it would not be long before the entire human race would advance together as a whole.
The problem that stood in the way of the cultivators in the red lotus domain was the Birth Chart Beasts. To solve the problem, the Sky Martial Court had already come up with means to deal with the Birth Chart Beasts. The current problem was Birth Chart Beasts were incredibly rare and difficult to find.
Compared to the golden lotus realm, the red lotus domain's problem was more troublesome.
Lu Zhou also had another question; why did he attract the Birth Chart Beast when he was sprouting the tenth leaf when no one else did?
After a moment, Lu Zhou shook his head, dismissing these thoughts. He would solve these problems in the future. At the very least, the Sky Wheel Rift Valley had given him a breakthrough.
In the end, Lu Zhou's mind returned to the earlier matter; from whom did he get those worshippers?
Zhao Yue?
Ye Tianxin?
Or, perhaps, Zhu Honggong?
At the thought of his eighth disciple, Lu Zhou could not help but feel slightly worried. He would look in on Zhu Honggong every two days. The last time he had checked in, Zhu Honggong was still flying. He did not know if Zhu Honggong had flown out of the Endless Ocean yet.
Lu Zhou silently recited the mantra for the Heavenly Writing Power and closed his eyes.
After his eyes glowed with a blue light, he saw Zhu Honggong… and a group of people kneeling around him.
Zhu Honggong stood in the center while Lu Li stood next to him.
Lu Zhou was both surprised and relieved that his eighth disciple had arrived on land. No matter what, it was definitely a good thing that his eighth disciple had escaped from the Endless Ocean.
Needless to say, after seeing the group of people kneeling around Zhu Honggong, Lu Zhou knew he had found the source of his recent merit points. It was a pity that more than half of these people were not sincere and harbored ulterior motives.
Lu Zhou continued to watch Zhu Honggong...
Zhu Hong looked at the two seriously injured cultivators and said, "This is a lesson for you. You better think carefully about Senior Lu's words carefully."
Lu Li added, "You should feel lucky that Zhu Honggong chose all of you. With his cultivation base, it's easy for him to destroy your Flood Sect. Even Great Qing's royal court is nothing to him."
Everyone did not dare to lift their heads.
On the other hand, Tao Jing's heart moved when he saw Zhu Honggong injuring two experts from the Flood Sect with just a raise of his hand. Even his eldest disciple, Xu Wanqing, had been subdued. Such a person could be an overlord wherever he went. It was clear to him that this was not some illusory trick.
Soon after, hundreds of people flew over from afar and landed one after another.
Tao Jing did not want them to make a futile struggle so he quickly said in a stern voice, "Why aren't all of you greeting the new sect master?"
Despite the confused expressions on their faces, the hundreds of newcomers kneeled immediately.
"Greetings, Sect Master… Sect Master?!"
"Ding! Worshiped by 30 people. Reward: 30 merit points."
"Ding! Worshiped by 250 people. Reward: 0 merit points."
Lu Zhou was very confused when he received the system notifications again. Why was his eighth disciple using his strength to pressure others? Moreover, why were there so many people who did not sincerely submit to him?
He channeled his extraordinary energy to maintain the Heavenly Writing Power and looked at Lu Li. In fact, he was rather surprised earlier when he saw Lu Li was still alive.
At this moment, Lu Li said, "Tao Jing, from now on, you'll be the first elder of the Flood Sect. When both of us leave, the position of sect master will be returned to you. Are you willing?"
Tao Jing suppressed the shock and confusion in his heart after having his worldview shattered. Then, he lowered his head and said, "I'm willing. Tank and the confusion after his understanding was broken. He lowered his head and said, "I'm willing. Thank you!"
"Good." Lu Li nodded. Then, he turned to look at Xu Wanqing and asked, "Xu Wanqing, are you willing to become the second elder of the Flood Sect?"
Xu Wanqing had witnessed Zhu Honggong killing the monstrous flounder earlier so he did not doubt Zhu Honggong's strength. He said without hesitating, "I'm willing!"
Even their former sect master, Tao Jing, and their eldest senior brother, Xu Wanqing, had submitted to the two newcomers. How could they not follow suit?
At this moment, Zhu Honggong pulled Lu Li to the side. Then, he waved his hand and erected an energy barrier around himself and Lu Li to prevent others from eavesdropping on their conversation.
…
At this point, Lu Zhou had to use more of his extraordinary power so he could listen in on Zhu Honggong and Lu Li's conversation in the barrier.
The consumption rate of the Heavenly Writing Power was rather fast even if it was slower compared to before. Almost half of his extraordinary power had been depleted so far. Apart from that, his skill was still not high enough where he could do as he pleased.
He shook his head and focused his attention on Zhu Honggong and Lu Li.
Zhu Honggong said, "Senior Lu, we can't do things this way. it's clear that they're unwilling and disgruntled! My master used to do things this way in the past. Over time, the resentment grew, and my fellow disciples rebelled, betrayed my master, and renounced the sect!"
Lu Li smiled and said, "This is the quickest way to get results in a short time. It doesn't matter if they're willing or not, we'll deal with the problem later. First, we have to put on a show of strength to intimidate them. Following that, we'll show kindness and grace by bestowing them with prestige and power. With this, sooner or later, they will all submit to us."
After a brief pause, Lu Li continued to say, "What your master did has nothing to do with me. Since your master is like that, all the more reason for you to accept me as your master instead!"
"No, no, no… My master used to have a bad temper, but he has gotten better over the years. No matter what, I can't disappoint or abandon my master," Zhu Honggong hurriedly said.
…
Upon seeing this, Lu Zhou thought to himself, 'At least, he still has some conscience…'
Then, he looked around Zhu Honggong's surroundings.
'Where's this place? What's Lu Li trying to do?'
He observed for a little longer. When he could see anything of importance, he finally stopped the Heavenly Writing Power. Moreover, it was best his conserve one-third of his extraordinary power for a rainy day.
…
The Flood Sect on Howling Wind Island in the yellow lotus domain.
Lu Li asked, "Do you want to enter the Thousand Realms Whirling before we leave this place?"
"Of course."
"Then, do as I say, and do it well. This is your chance. If you miss it, it won't come by again," Lu Li said.
"This is my chance? Why don't I feel that way?"
"The yellow lotus domain is weak. Fierce beasts and Birth Chart Beasts aren't attracted to this place. Therefore, this is a good cultivation place for you. Moreover, you don't have to worry about obtaining a life heart since you have the life heart of the king of the sea beasts. Most importantly, I will think of a way to utilize the resources here to activate the Great Void energy in your body," Lu Li said.
Zhu Honggong had mixed feelings as he looked at Lu Li. He asked, "Why are you helping me?"
Zhu Honggong recalled that his fourth senior brother had once told him that there was no such thing as free lunch in the world.
Lu Li looked at Zhu Honggong and solemnly said, "You returned for me and risked your life to save me. Don't worry. If I wanted something from you, why would I risk my life to save you? You would've died in the Endless Ocean if that was the case."
Zhu Honggong scratched his head, feeling embarrassed for doubting Lu Li's sincerity. After a moment, he dispelled the energy barrier. Following that, he turned around and faced the crowd.
With the image of his master in his mind, Zhu Honggong cleared his throat and walked forward with his hands on his back. Then, he said, "Rise to your feet and speak.'
"Thank you, Sect Master!"
The crowd rose to their feet after thanking Zhu Honggong.
"I know you're only surrendering out of fear. Anyway, it doesn't matter. Time will tell." After saying this, he said in a dismissive tone, "I'm tired."